Opening of the Sydney Opera House

The Opera House was officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen on 20 October 1973. This was followed by a two-week festival of events.

The Sydney Opera House Official Opening Committee was responsible for overall policy governing the official opening of the Sydney Opera House and associated activities, including finance.

Search the catalogue for records of the opening of Sydney Opera House.

Examples of records on the opening of Sydney Opera House

  • Sydney Opera House Trust; NRS-21739, Sydney Opera House Official Souvenir, 28-09-1973 to 31-12-1973
  • Department of Public Works; NRS-12819, Programme of the Sydney Opera House Official Opening and Waratah Festival, 17/10/1973-03/11/1973
  • Sydney Opera House Official Opening Committee; NRS-14001, Sydney Opera House Official Opening and Festival: Final report, 17/10/1973-03/11/1973
  • Sydney Opera House Trust; NRS-17748, Public Relations Committee agendas, reports and copies of minutes [Sydney Opera House Trust], 1972-1975
  • Sydney Opera House Official Opening Committee; NRS-14000, Correspondence files, 1972-1973

Guide to the records

https://www.records.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/styles/juicebox_square_thumbnail/public/Galleries/Sydney%20Opera%20House/12707_00014.jpg?itok=xFVIaFL8

Sydney Opera House

Highlighting Sydney Opera House records in the State Archives Collection

Government Printing Office 3 - 20815 - First live concert in the Sydney Opera House for the purpose of testing the acoustics [Public Works; concert halls] [17/12/1972]

Productions & performances held at the Sydney Opera House

We hold records of productions and performances held at the Sydney Opera House

Photo of Jørn Utzon in 1959

Utzon v the Minister

After the election of a new Liberal government in 1965, control over payments for the Opera House project was transferred from the Opera House Committee to the Minster of Public Works

A Sepik River mei mask

An eye-catching object in the People’s House: Sydney Opera House at 50 exhibition reveals an unexpected story of the opening ceremonies, of performance, and of international diplomacy

Government Printing Office 2 - 49270 - Sydney Opera House [Public Works] [GPO original locations or series - St89262] [Jun-73]

Photographs and oral histories of Sydney Opera House

There are many images of the Sydney Opera House in all stages of construction and use in the State Archives Collection.